Stockholm - Day 2
We are keen for a run today to see a bit of Stockholm, so Tomas maps out a loop and the 3 of us set off, mostly along the water front. Its a good setup for running. We enjoy running on the boardwalk and taking in the views.
It then turns into a bit of a forest section and you feel a world away from the city.
We clock up about 7km with a brief stop by the river as Tomas spots someone he hasn't seen in years. Jeff is tempted to jump in at this point. The sun is well up and its only 9am.
We get home to a traditional Swedish breakfast spread waiting for us. The eggs on Knacke bread with Kalles Caviar (salty fish paste) are a hit and we go back for seconds! Stella takes some home with her, she is so impressed.
We head back out into the Sunday sun with the full crew. We catch a ferry (for free) across the water, it takes 5 minutes. Then we are wandering along the waterfront eating soft-serve. Holiday-mode is in full effect now.
The Stockholmers are out in force today, as you'd expect. Lots of running and cycling along the river, as well as plenty of people getting in the water. We check out the little allotments where people own little cabins with a little garden, like a summer-house, but still in the city.
We have a quick beer at a Boules club setup; this seems to be popular around Stockholm. We don't have much time to hang about though, we have a Stockholm derby to get to!
We jump in a cab and 10 minutes later we are among the sea of green and white shirts trying to get into Tele2 Arena where all 30,000 seats have been sold.
Wow. As we find our seats we are already overwhelmed by the nearby away (AIK) supporters in full flight. Flares and banners and flags and chanting. Then their big tifo (square coloured boards that form part of a bigger picture when held up together) goes up as their players enter the field. More fireworks and flares and a very ominous chant. These guys look like the baddies with their black shirts and now the black smoke coming up from the crowd. Very cool.
Now its the home team Hammarby's turn. One side of the ground turns green, with everyone holding up their part of the tifo. Then the motto is shown and 4 big emblems. Its the most impressive thing I've seen at a sports event. And the chanting is likewise the loudest I've ever heard. Grown men in the crowd around us have ear-plugs in, and I'm regretting not bringing mine!
The AIK supporters have a great selection of chants and don't miss a single beat for 90 minutes.
The first half is a cagey 0-0. Quality was a bit low and the astro-turf does seem to slow things down a bit.
The second half is better as fatigue sets in. It took a world class long strike from Hammarby to get things going though. This is soon followed by a second yellow for an AIK player and things are looking comfortable now. But of course Hammarby get too comfortable and AIK score with over 10 minutes to go to keep things interesting.
They can't find an equaliser. The final whistle blows and the home fans are pumped. Tomas suggests that some teams would prefer to win a derby than win the league. The way the AIK fans gave their players the send-off after the game makes me believe him. I didn't think they were that bad today but their fans must expect a lot!
We walk home in the sun and make it back in time to watch Man City do what they do and win the EPL. Yay...
We have tacos for dinner, which is apparently a Friday night tradition at home in Sweden. It's a good tradition.